Photo From kaiserac

Originally Posted On: https://kaiserac.com/air-conditioner-problems/

 

Nothing beats a nice, warm summer afternoon, but when the temps start to rise, it’s normal to want to seek refuge indoors. In fact, more than 87 percent of households in the United States rely on their air conditioner to keep their homes cool and comfortable.

When the unit is in good condition, it works almost flawlessly. However, all that use can often lead to air conditioner problems that can keep you from being able to enjoy your home in comfort.

The sooner you can get the problem repaired, the better, but you need to know what to look for in the first place. Here are a few of the most common AC problems to watch for.

 

1. Low Airflow at Vents and Registers

Anytime your air conditioner turns on, you expect it to send cool air throughout each room of your home. When the system is working properly, the airflow will be consistent and strong enough to cool the space.

However, when the unit has a problem or needs repair, you’ll often notice weaker airflow around the vents and registers. This makes it hard for your air conditioner to cool your house without running constantly. The longer it runs, the higher your energy bills will be.

Luckily, this is usually a simple problem to fix. Check your air conditioner’s air filters and see if they’re dirty. Dust and debris from outside your home can clog the filters in a matter of months. The dirtier those filters are, the less cool air will be able to pass through.

Clean or replace your dirty air filters at least once every three months and you should be able to stave off low airflow issues in the future.

 

2. Rooms Stay Too Warm

There may be times when your air conditioner has trouble keeping up with your thermostat setting. In most cases, the problem is likely due to a faulty thermostat.

When the thermostat gets damaged, it won’t communicate the right information to your air conditioner. This means the unit won’t be able to cool your home to your desired temperature.

Unfortunately, it’s difficult to repair a thermostat. Instead, it’s best to replace it with a newer model. When in doubt, contact an experienced AC repair expert and let them find the best thermostat for your house.

They’ll make sure to install everything correctly so it will work without issues for years to come.

 

3. AC Cycles On and Off Frequently

One of the most annoying AC issues is when the unit turns on and off more often than it should. Think about how the unit runs throughout the day.

It’s normal for it to cycle on and off to keep up with your thermostat settings and to keep temperatures consistent. However, it should never cycle on and off every few minutes.

In most cases, the problem comes from dirty condenser coils in the outside unit. Take a look inside the casing. If the coils are visibly dirty, dusty, or covered in cobwebs, clean them out thoroughly.

It’s okay to get the coils wet. Once you rinse the dust off, your unit should start working as normal. If it doesn’t, schedule an inspection with your HVAC contractor and let them make any necessary repairs.

 

4. Lack of Routine Maintenance

If you can’t remember the last time you scheduled a service appointment for your air conditioner, it’s high-time to get it done now. Your home’s AC unit needs regular maintenance to work well.

During those maintenance appointments, your technician will inspect each component of the system. If they see any issues or notice early signs of wear and tear, they’ll be able to make repairs quickly.

Neglecting those maintenance appointments often leads to serious repair issues that threaten the efficiency of your system. At best, you’ll see an increase in your energy bills and at worst, your system will break down right when you need it most.

Take the time to schedule maintenance appointments at least once a year. This will help you prevent most major issues in the first place.

 

5. Leaking Refrigerant Lines

Your air conditioner uses refrigerant to cool the air before it sends it through the ductwork and out into the house. When there’s enough refrigerant in the lines, the system cools your home fast.

However, when the lines are low or are actively leaking refrigerant, your air conditioner won’t be able to keep up or cool the air to your desired temperature.

The easiest way to repair AC unit problems is to schedule an inspection as soon as you notice something is wrong. They’ll inspect your refrigerant levels and make the necessary adjustments.

If there’s a leak, they’ll repair the lines. If refrigerant levels are low due to the age of the system, they may be able to add more to bring your air conditioner back to life.

 

6. Evaporator Coils Freeze Up

Low refrigerant levels aren’t the only problem that can happen to the lines. Those lines can also freeze up, keeping your air conditioner from working at all.

The evaporator coils in your system need warm air to circulate around them so they can remove the heat and send cool air out into your home. When there’s not enough warm air around the coils, they can freeze, causing your unit to stop working.

If you suspect that you have frozen coils in your unit, you’ll want to schedule an appointment with your repair expert as soon as possible. The coils will need help to thaw out and you may need to make adjustments to the system to restore proper airflow levels.

 

Watch for These Common Air Conditioner Problems

The next time you adjust your thermostat, pay attention to how your air conditioner runs. When everything is running well, you won’t have to worry about the heat causing problems indoors.

However, if you notice any of these common air conditioner problems, don’t wait to get them fixed.

Schedule an appointment as soon as possible and let our team get your air conditioner back up and running. We’re here to help no matter how hot it gets outside.